Interlocking mechanism



6, 1941. NELSON 2,241,269

INTERLOCKING MECHANISM 6 Shoots-Shoot 1 Original Filed April 16, 1937Gunnar Nehdn Inventor His Attorney G. NELsoN INTERLOCKING- MECHANI SKMay 6, 1941.

6 Shee i s-Sheet 2 Original Filed April 16, 1937 Gunmu- Nellon InventorBy ga/vfl w His Attorney y 6, 1941- s. NELSON 2,241,269

INTERLOCKING MECHANISM Original Filed April 16, 1937 6 ShQOtFShQGi 3Gunuu- Nelson lnventor M M His Attomay m% a 3R Rm 2 a 4 W 8 S 2 mm Qv N32% New Qm Q 2 3 w 2 O am mwx o w 3 me 8. I a H N3 w Q vR H o n@m.-!---.- kw l Nm Ma Q IN- mw & w ah rmw o km \6 A |U 'L 37 vs g mwk om \v mm i m L mam Q ..----N@.-M :-U m x Q w 0 m N MR MN... wm q kw m r v@s R S S m E 0 2 m Q g 8 3m wk Qm o o a R \R. xv wk I s? 5v 0 Q w mu -iMay 6,1941, '6. NELSON INTERLOCKING MECHANIQI Original Filed April 16,1987 6 Sheets-$heet 4 Gunnu Nelaon Inventor Hi. Attorney May 6, 1941. s.NELSON 2,241,269 INTERLOCKING MECHANISM Original Filed April 16, 1937 6Sheets-Sheet 5 I 6 Inventor 31:1 Attorney Patented May 6, 1941INTERLOCKING MECHANISM Gunnar Nelson, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to TheNational Cash Register Company, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of MarylandOriginal application April 16, 1937, Serial No. 137,223. Divided andthis application May 3, 1940, Serial No. 333,175

13 Claims.

This invention relates to novel interlocking means used in a machinecomprising a cash register or accounting machine combined with apunching mechanism, to prevent an operation of the machine when a recordcard is not in position to be punched or when too many punched cards arein a receiving tray associated with the punching mechanism.

The present application is a division of an application for LettersPatent of the United States, Serial No. 137,223, filed by Gunnar Nelsonon April 16, 1937.

In the instant embodiment of the invention, the card supply, cardfeeding means, and card receiving tray are located within the cabinet ofthe machine and are not visible from the outside of the machine. It ishighly desirable that a punched card be made for each transactionentered upon the cash register or accounting machine, so that thetransactions recorded by the cash register or accounting machine willcorrespond to the cards punched. To prevent an operation of the machinewhen the card supply has been exhausted, or when no record card is inpunching position or when the receiving tray for the punched cards istoo full to allow proper feeding of cards through the punching means,novel interlocking means is provided.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide means toprevent the motor from operating the machine when the card supply hasbecome exhausted.

Another object of this invention is to provide means to sense or feelwhether or not a record card is in a position to be punched and toprevent an operation of the machine if a card is not in a position to bepunched.

Another object of the invention is to provide a means to prevent anoperation of the machine if the feeding means for the record cards hasnot fed a card into position to be punched.

A further object of the invention is to provide a manipulative member torestore the preventing means to enable the machine to be operated whenthe difficulty which prevented the machine from operating has beencleared up.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of means toprevent the operation of the machine when the card receiving traybecomes filled to capacity.

A still further object of the invention is to provide novel means torestore the preventing means to ineffective position, when the cardshave been removed from the card receiving tray, to enable furtheroperation of the machine.

With these and incidental objects in view, the invention includescertain novel features of construction and combinations of parts, theessential elements of which are set forth in appended claims and apreferred form or embodiment of which is hereinafter described withreference to the drawings which accompany and form a part of thisspecification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation as observed from the left of the machine,illustrating the mechanism for releasing the machine for operation andcertain driving connections and controls therefor.

Fig. 2 is a detail of the controls and driving connections for a part ofthe punching mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a left side elevation of the machine, with certain partsomitted to show more clearly the controls for the clutch for the machineand the motor switch.

Fig. 4 is a left side elevation of certain parts of the punchingmechanism.

Fig. 5 is a left side view of the punching mechanism.

Fig. 6 is a sectional plan view illustrating the card punches and theirassociated selecting mechanism.

Fig. '7 is a detail view of the gears that drive the card feeding andejecting mechanism for the card punching mechanism.

Fig. 8 is a detail view of the gears and shafts that drive the feedrollers which receive the cards from the picker device.

Fig. 9 is a left side elevation showing in particular the supplymagazine in which the cards are stored prior to being acted upon by thepunching mechanism, the tray for receiving the cards after they havebeen acted upon by the punching mechanism, and the card feeding andejecting mechanisms.

Fig. 10 is a detail view of the cam and the pitman associated therewithfor operating the card stop bars.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the mechanism that picks the cards out ofthe supply magazine and presents them to the card feeding mechanism.

Fig. 12 is a bottom view of a part of the card picker mechanism.

Fig. 13 is a front view of the card feeding mechanism and a section ofthe card receiving tray.

Fig. 14 is a detail view of the pinch lever mechanism for securing thecard supply magazine in feeding position.

Fig. is a detail view of one set of card feeding rollers and theirassociated pressure rollers.

Fig. 16 is a front view of the card stop device for locating the cardsin punching position.

Fig. 1'7 is a left side elevation of the feeler mechanism that preventsoperation of the machine when no card is in the throat of the punchingmechanism.

Fig. 18 is a detail view of a part controlled by the on-and-offmechanism for the card punching device.

Fig. 19 is a detail view of the feeler mechanism shown in Fig. 17.

Fig. 20 is a detail view of the mechanism that renders the machineinoperative when the card tray is filled.

Fig. 21 is a plan view of the mechanisms shown in Figs. 17 and 20.

Figs. 22 and 23 are respectively side views and back views of one set ofpressure rollers for the card feeding mechanism.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION The machine in which the instant invention isembodied comprises a cash register or accounting mechanism and apunching mechanism for punching records of various transactions enteredinto the cash register or accounting mechanism. A single source of poweris provided to drive the various mechanisms, and an operation of themachine is initiated by a machine release means which causes a clutch toconnect the source of power to the machine and also closes a switch torender the source of power operative.

The novel interlock comprises means to prevent the switch from closingwhenever there is no card in position to be punched and means to preventthe switch from closing after the card receiving tray is full of punchedcards.

The failure of the machine to operate when the release means is operatedwill notify the operator that one of the following conditionsexists-either there is no card in punching position due to theexhaustion of the card supply or to the failure of the card feedingmeans to position a card in punching position, or there are too manypunched cards in the card receiving tray.

After the condition which has prevented the operation of the machine hasbeen determined, the machine can be made to operate by a manipulativedevice which restores the interlock to normal position, or by removingthe punched cards from the tray, whichever condition caused theinterlock to operate.

It is thus seen that the interlock will notify the operator whenever thecondition of the cards in the punching means is such that proper recordswill not be made on the cards and will prevent the making of entriesinto the cash register or accounting machine without cards being punchedaccording to these entries.

The mechanism referred to above in general will now be described indetail.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The interlocking mechanism which is the feature ofthis invention is incorporated in a punching mechanism associated with awell-known type of cash register. The details of the punching mechanismand the cash register which are not necessary to an understanding ofthis invention will not be described herein; however, reference may behad to the parent case for these details if they are desired.

Framework of the machine The mechanism of the cash register portion ofthe machine is supported between a right frame and a left frame 8I(Figs. 1 and 3), both of which are secured to a machine base 82 in turnattached to the top 83 of a drawer cabinet 84 (Fig. 4). The entiremachine is enclosed in a suitable case or cabinet 85, which is securedto the top of the drawer cabinet. A back plate (not shown) and variouscross rods, bars, and shafts, extending between the frames 80 and BI,assist in supporting the various mechanisms and in holding said framesrigid.

Operating mechanism for the machine The present machine is preferablyoperated by means of the usual electric motor (not shown). However, ifdesired, or if made necessary by failure of the electric current, themachine may be manually operated by means of a crank 86, shown indotand-dash lines in Fig. 1. Whether the machine is operatedelectrically or manually, the operation is initiated by depression of astarting bar 81 (Fig. 1). Depressing the starting bar 81, which isremovably connected to a plate 88 slidably mounted on the frame 80 bymeans of parallel slots therein, in cooperation with studs 89 secured insaid frame, moves said plate 88 downwardly against the tension of aspring 90. Downward movement of the plate 88 causes a stud 9| therein tocooperate with the bifurcated end of a crank 92 and rock said crankclockwise on its pivot 93 secured to the frame 80. Clockwise movement ofthe crank 92, by means of a connecting link 94, imparts similar movementto a release pawl 95 loosely supported on a shaft 96 journaled in theframes 80 and BI. Clockwise movement of release pawl 95 moves therearward end thereof out of the path of an arcuate surface on ahalf-round stud 91 secured in the lower end of a crank 98 fast to a keylock shaft 99 journaled in the frames 80 and 8|.

This releases the shaft 99 to the action of a compressed spring I00,which imparts a slight counter-clockwise movement to said shaft 99. Thespring I00 fits loosely over a tongue in the slot IOI in a key releaselink I02 and over a tongue on a link I03, the upper end of which isloosely supported on a stud I04 secured in one arm of a crank I05 faston the right-hand end of the key lock shaft 99. It is therefore evidentthat when the release pawl 95 retains the key lock shaft 99 in untrippedposition, the spring I 00 is compressed, and, as soon as said releasepawl is moved out of the path of the stud 91, by de pression of thestarting bar 81, the spring I00 immediately rocks the shaft 99counter-clockwise until such movement is arrested by an extension of thecrank I05 contacting a stationary stud I05 in the frame 80.

The operating motor is connected, by a train of gears (not shown) and aclutch mechanism shown in Fig. 3 and later to be described, to a mainshaft I01 (Fig, 1) journaled in the frames 80 and SI. Counter-clockwisemovement of the shaft 99 closes a switch I35 (Figs. 3 and 17) for themotor and renders the clutch mechanism effective to cause the motor tobe operatively connected to the main shaft I01 to rotate said shaftclockwise one revolution in adding operations and two revolutions intotal and sub-total record ing operations. After the shaft I0! hascompleted the necessary number of revolutions to effect the type ofoperation being performed, the key lock shaft 99 is restored clockwiseto untripped position, thus permitting the spring 99 to return thestarting bar 91 upwardly and the release pawl 95 counter-clockwise inthe path of the stud 91 to restrain releasing movement of the shaft 99.

The crank 89 (Fig. 1) has integral therewith a gear I98, which mesheswith a large gear I99 loose on a stud H9 in the right frame 99, and saidgear I99 meshes with a gear III secured on the main shaft I91. Throughthis gearing the main shaft I91 may be revolved by the crank 86 when itis desired to operate the machine by hand.

Restoration of key lock shaft The key lock shaft 99 is restored at theend of operations in the following manner: The lower end of the link I92is slotted to embrace a stud H2 in a. pitman H3 having therein a slotwhich fits loosely over the stud H9. The lower end of the pitman I I3 ispivotally connected to one end of a lever H4 loose on a stud H5 in theframe 99, and the upper end of said lever H4 is connected by a link H6to a crank H1 fast on a zero stop throwout shaft H8 journaled in theframes 99 and M. The zero stop throwout shaft H9 functions only in totaland sub-total recording operations to cause the machine to operatethrough the two cycles necessary to perform these operations. The mannerin which the control of this shaft is accomplished is well known andreference to the parent case may be had for details of this mechanism.Loose on the stud H5 is a lever I32 carrying a stud I33, whichcooperates with an inverted L-shaped slot H9 in the link I92. The leverI32 carries a roller I29 which engages a camming groove I2I cut in theface of the gear I99, said oamming groove having diametrically opposedidentical oamming portions.

During adding operations, the link I92 is positioned as shown in Fig. 1to engage the substantially horizontal portion of the slot H9 with thestud I33. Adding operations consist of one cycle of movement or onecounter-clockwise revolution of the main shaft I91, which, by means ofthe gear I I I, drives the gear I99 one-half revolution. Near the end ofthe one-half revolution clockwise of the gear I99, one of thediametrically opposed camming portions of the groove I2I, in cooperationwith the roller I29, rocks the lever I32 first counter-clockwise andback to normal position. Counter-clockwise movement of the lever I32, bymeans of the stud I33, in cooperation with the slot H9, shifts the linkI92 downward, causing the slot I9I, in cooperation with the stud I94, torestore the key lock shaft 99 clockwise to untripped position. After theshaft 99 has been restored fully clockwise to normal position, therelease pawl 95 is spring-returned into the path of the stud 91 toretain said key lock shaft in restored position.

Non-repeat mechanism In case the starting bar 91 (Fig. 1) isaccidentally or inadvertently retained depressed at the end of a machineoperation, a repeat operation of the machine is prevented by means of anon-repeat pawl 19 fulcrumed on the shaft 99, said pawl beingspring-urged into the path of the stud 91 upon restoration of the keylock shaft to obstruct further releasing movement of said shaft. Thisprevents the machine from functioning until the starting bar 81 isreleased and returned upward by the spring 99. When 1 operations.

the starting bar 91 is restored to undepressed position, an extension ofthe pawl 95 which overlies the top surface of the non-repeat pawl 19returns said pawl counter-clockwise to ineffective 1 position as saidpawl 95 moves into effective po- 1 transaction, and clerks keys, opensthe switch I35 for the electric motor, and disengages the clutchmechanism which connects the motor to the machine operating mechanism.

Operating mechanism in. two-cycle operations In reading or resettingoperations the main drive shaft I91 makes two counter-clockwiserevolutions in order to operate the machine through the two cycles ofmovement necessary in such In the well-known manner explained fully inthe parent case, the shaft H8 is given a counter-clockwise movementprior to a twocycle operation. This counter-clockwise movement of theshaft H8 (Fig. l), by means of the arm H1, the link H6, and the leverH4, shifts the pitman H3 forward, which in turn rocks the link I92counter-clockwise a slight distance, but not sufficiently to disengagethe forward portion of the slot H9 from the stud I33.

This forward shifting movement of the pitman H3 moves a roller I34carried thereby out of engagement with a notch in the heart of a cam I49loosely assembled in a recess in the face of the gear I99, and alinessaid roller I34 with a oamming groove MI in said cam. Forward shiftingmovement of the pitman H3, by means of two studs I42 carried therebywhich embrace a tongue I43 of a slide I44 mounted in a groove I45 in thecam I49, shifts said slide forward in unison therewith to engage a noseI46 thereof with a notch I41 in the gear I99. This fixedly connects thecam I49 to the gear I99 and conse- (llhlgntly said cam moves in unisonwith the gear Clockwise rotation of the cam I49 causes the groove MI, incooperation with the roller I34, to shift the pitman H3 forwardly anadditional distance near the end of the first cycle of operation. Thisdisengages the forward branch of the slot H9 in the link I92 from thestud I33 and alines the downward branch of said slot with said stud. Itis, therefore, evident that when the oamming portion of the groove I2Iin the gear I99 rocks the lever I32 counter-clockwise during the firstcycle of operation, the stud I33 will move idly in the downward branchof the slot H9 to prevent restoration of the key lock shaft 99 tountripped position, thus causing the machine to enter a second cycle ofoperation. After the first cycle of operation has been completed and thesecond cycle is well under way, the cam groove I4I returns the pitman H3rearwardly to move the link I92 rearwardly and engage the forward branchof the slot I I9 with the stud I33, so that, when one of the oammingportions of the groove I2I rocks the lever I32 counter-clockwise, nearthe end of the second cycle of operation, the link I92 will move inunison therewith to restore the key lock shaft .99 to untripped positionand terminate operation of the machine.

Amoant keys, amount differential actuators, and totalizers punching ofthe various entries to be made on record cards.

Punching mechanism The punching mechanism functions in certainoperations of the machine to record data entered into the cash register,and also other data which is set up by manipulative devices. The detailsof the punching mechanism which are necessary to an understanding of theinstant invention will now be described. Reference may be had to theparent case for a full disclosure of further details of this mechanism.

Framework for punching mechanism The punching mechanism is mounted onand between a right frame 393, a left frame 394, and an intermediateframe 395 (Figs. 4 and 6), spaced and maintained in proper relation toone another by means of cross bars 396, 391, 398, 399, and 400. Thepunching mechanism is mounted in a compartment in the left-half side ofthe drawer cabinet 84, The framework for the punching mechanism isconnected to the machine proper by means of threaded studs 40| (Figs. 3and 4) secured in the cross bars 399 and 400 and extending through thetop 83 of the drawer cabinet, and the threaded upper ends of said studs40I extend through holes in the machine base 82 and are secured in placeby means of nuts. Bolts 402 (Fig. 4), threaded in extensions of thecross bar 398, have tenons on the lower ends thereof, which, incooperation with holes in plates 403 secured on the top surface of across member 404 of the drawer cabinet, assist in locating andmaintaining the punching mechanism in proper relation to the cashregister portion of the machine.

Driving mechanism for the punching mechanism It will be recalled thatthe main drive shaft I01 of the machine is driven one counter-clock wiserotation during adding operations and two counter-clockwise rotations intotal and subtotal recording operations. The shaft I01 (Fig. 1) has fastthereon a gear 356, which drives the gear 115 carried by the stud 116,and gear 115 drives the gear 113.

Journaled in the side frame 393 and 394, which support the punchingmechanism, are the shaft 566, which operates in certain machineoperations, and the shaft 561, which operates in other machineoperations, which shafts operate and control the punching mechanism invarious operations. The gear 113 may be selectively connected to driveone or the other of these shafts as follows:

Secured on the shaft 566 (Fig. 1) is a clutch disc 110, a segmentalportion of which cooperates with clutch dogs 11! and 112 pivoted onstuds secured in the gear 113, which is loose on shaft 566. A spring 114tensioned between the dogs 11! and 112 urges said dogs toward each otherand into engagement with the segmental portion of the disc 110. The gear113 also drives gear 111 and sleeve 118 loose on shaft 561. The controlof the cooperation between the dogs 11! and 112 and the disc willcontrol the drive of the shaft 566 by the gear 113. When shaft 566 isdriven, it causes a card to be punched and ejected and a new card to befed into position to be punched.

Pivotally mounted on the gear 113, on the same studs which support thedogs 11! and 112, are an additional pair of dogs 119 and (Fig. 2), urgedtoward each other by a spring 18| and into engagement with the segmentalportion of a clutch disc 182 integral with the gear 183 loose on theshaft 566, said gear 183 meshing with a gear 184 secured on the shaft561. It is evident that the drive of shaft 561 by the gear 113 iscontrolled by governing the cooperation between the dogs 119 and 180 andthe clutch disc 182. The shaft 561 causes the shifting of a framework(Figs. 5 and 6) comprising side bars 462 and 463 and cross bars, as 464,which framework shifts the connectors 460 and 46! to select which fieldof the card will be perforated.

The operation of shaft 561 also causes the punching of data in a certainfield on the card, with the card remaining in punching position.

A plurality of pawls, similar to pawls 195 and 196, partially shown inFig. 2, are moved by various cash register and punching mechanismcontrol means into and out of engaging relation with the foot-shapedextensions and 194 on the dogs 112 and 180 respectively. When the pawlsare moved into engaging relation, they will engage their correspondingdogs during an initial rotation of the shafts and cause the dogs tobecome disengaged from the segmental portion of their related discs andprevent further rotation of the shafts, thus determining which of theshafts is to be operated in any particular machine operation.

Secured on the right-hand end of the shafts 566 and 561, respectively,are discs 860 and 861 (Fig. 1) having Vshaped notches 862 and 863therein, which, in cooperation with rollers 864 and B65, supportedrespectively by similar levers 866 and 861 free on studs 868 and 869 inthe frame 393 and urged toward each other by a spring 810 stretchedtherebetween, retain said shafts 566 and 561 in home positions, when theshafts are not being operated, as here shown.

Punch selecting means Ring gears such as 441 are mounted on discs 425carried by rods 426, 432, and 433 supported in plates 428 and 429fastened to a punch supporting frame 431. The amount differentialactuators drive shafts such as 1, which in turn, through gears as 446cooperating with internal teeth on the ring gears, position the ringgears differentially. The ring gears position punch selecting racks as449, which have projections as 452 cooperating with the connectors ofone or the other of upper or lower groups of connectors as 460 or 461,to select which of the punches 483 will be operable to punch data on thecard.

Other ring gears are operated by levers such as levers 484, 486, and 481(Fig. 4) and under control of the control keys of the cash register, toposition other punch selecting racks, similar to racks 449, in order tocontrol the selection of other punches used in perforating data on thecards.

The connectors 460 and 46l determine the zone on the card in which datais to be punched and are mounted in the framework composed of side bars462 and 463 and cross bars as 464. The framework and connectors areshiftable vertically under control of the cash register mechanism by thecams M5, M6 coacting with rollers 8H and M8 to move the arms 820 and MIconnected to the framework.

Aliner for punching mechanism An aliner mechanism is provided foralining the ring gears and their associated punch selecting racks. Itwill be recalled, by referring to Fig. 1, that the gear 113 drives thegear 111 and the sleeve 118 one clockwise revolution in addingoperations and two clockwise revolutions in total and sub-totalrecording operations. This sleeve 118 (Fig. drives a cam 894. The cam894 has a camming. groove 895, which engages a roller 896 on the upperend of a pitman 891 bifurcated to straddle an undercut portion of a hub898 secured on the shaft 561. The lower end of the pitman 891 is slottedto receive a stud 899 in an extension of an arm 900, connected by a bail90! to a similar arm, both of said arms being free on the rod 430.Secured on the bail 90I is an alining bar 902, which cooperates withalining teeth 903 in the ring gears as 441, which position the punchselecting racks.

After the ring gears and their corresponding punch selecting racks havebeen positioned in accordance with the depressed keys and the positionof the manipulative levers, the cam 894 shifts the pitman 891 upward torock the alining bar 902 into engagement with the teeth 903 to alinesaid ring gears and their corresponding punch selecting racks in setpositions. After the punching mechanism has functioned, the alining bar902 is disengaged from the teeth 903 and remains thus disengaged whenthe machine is at rest. A spring 904 (Fig. 5) forms a flexibleconnection between the pitman 891 and the arm 900 to compensate for anyunevenness in the alinement of the teeth 903.

Mounting of punches Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, each of the conr nectorbars of the upper and lower groups has a corresponding punch 483, andsaid punches are mounted in relation to said connector bars by means ofa fixed guide plate 54!, secured to the frame 43l, and movable guideplates 542 and 543, mounted on a die support plate 544( ing holes in adie plate 549 integral with the guide plate 543 and spaced therefrom bystrips 550 to form an aperture or throat 55l into which the record cardsI551 are fed preparatory to being punched.

After the punch selecting racks have been positioned, the punch and dieunit, including the plates 542, 543, 544, and 549, is moved rearwardlyor toward the left, as viewed in Fig. 6, against the action ofcompressible springs 552 coiled around the guide pins 545, by mechanismpresently to be described. As the punch and die assembly movesrearwardly, the wires 541 move in unison therewith to free the punches,and the record card inserted in the throat l engages the ends of thepunches 483 and carries said punches in unison with the die assembly.

Before the punches 483 are moved into contact with the forward ends ofthe connector bars in the framework 462 and 463 (Fig. 5), parallel bars553 and 554 secured to the plate 544 simultaneously engage the crosspieces 415 of a pressure plate assembly for the group of connector barsin alinement with the punches, and carry said pressure plate in unisonwith the die assembly to free the connector bars for rearward movementin unison with the punches 483. Continued movement of the punch and dieassembly causes the ends of the punches to engage the connector bars andcarry said connector bars rearwardly in unison therewith until the noses452 on the punch selecting racks interrupt the rearward movement of theconnector bars corresponding to the position of said racks, which inturn interrupts the rearward movement of the punches corresponding tothe position of the racks, and continued movement rearwardly of thepunch and die assembly forces the punches, which have thus been stopped,through the record card contained in the throat 55I to punch the datarelating to the transaction in said record card. The mechanism thatmoves the punch and die assembly rearwardly to punch the record cardwill now be described.

Directing attention to Figs. 4 and 6, the guide pins 545 have, cut inthe lower surfaces thereof, teeth which mesh with partial gears 555,rotatably supported in borings in the frame 431. The

' gears 555 in turn mesh with gear sectors 556 and 551 secured on ashaft 558 journaled in downwardly extending ears of the frame 43L Anextension of the sector 551 carries an ad- .iustable eccentric stud I558embraced by the bifurcated downward extension of a lever 559 loose on astud 560 secured in the frame 394. Angular extensions of the lever 559carry respectively rollers 56l and 563, which cooperate respectivelywith the peripheries of plate cams 564 and 565 secured on correspondingshafts 566 and 561 journaled in the frames 393 and 394. The shaft 561and the cam 565 operate the punching mechanism in certain machineoperations, and the shaft 566 and the cam 564 operate the punchingmechanism in all other operations of the machine.

The shafts 566 and 561 never work in unison; When one rotates the otheris stationary, and vice versa, and said shafts perform respectively onecounter-clockwise and one clockwise rotation during amount enteringoperations, and the shaft 566 makes two counter-clockwise rotationsduring certain total-recording operations. Rotation of the cams 564 and565 in cooperation with their respective where 561 and 563 rock thelever 559 (Fig. 4) counter-clockwise to rock the sector 551, the shaft558, and the sector 556 clockwise. Clockwise movement of the sectors5'56 and 551, by means of their associated partial gears 555 incooperation with the teeth in the guide pins 545, shift the punch anddie assembly rearwardly against the action of the springs 552 toperforate the card in the manner explained above.

Card feeding and ejecting mechanism When the record card is fed into thethroat 55| (Figs. 9 and 16) between the plates 543 and 549, it isstopped in relation to th punches by two stop bars 568, which fit snuglyin slotted Openings in the plates 544, 543, and 549. The rearward endsof the stop bars '568 have openings therein, through which extendsimilar prongs formed on the bail of a yoke 569 secured on a shaft 510journaled in the frames 394 and 395. Fast on the right-hand end of theshaft 516 is an arm 511 having pivotally connected thereto the lower endof a pitman 512, the upper end of which is bifurcated to straddle acollar on the shaft 566. The pitman 512 (Fig. 10) carries a roller 513,which is maintained in contact with the periphery of a plate cam 514,fast on the shaft 566, by a spring 515, one end of which is connected toan extension of the arm 511. After the card has been punched and whilethe punch and die assembly is being returned to card feeding andejecting position, the node on the cam 514 engages the roller 513 andshifts the pitman 512 downwardly to rock the shaft 516 and the yoke 569rearwardly to move the stop bars 568 in unison therewith to a positionwhere they will not obstruct the throat 551, so that the punched cardmay be ejected therefrom.

The card feeding and ejecting mechanism includes two sets of pressurerollers 516 and 511 (Figs. 4, 9, 13, 15, 22, and 23) pivotally mountedon arms, in turn pivoted to bent-over ears on brackets 518 secured tothe plate 544. A spring 519, tensioned between extensions of the armsthat support the rollers 516 and 511, urges said rollers forward, sothat, when the punch and die assembly is in feeding position, saidrollers yieldingly engage corresponding feed rollers 580 and 581,mounted respectively on shafts 582 and 583 journaled in the frames 394and 395.

Referring to Figs. 7 and 13, the shafts 582 and 563 have securedthereon, respectively, gears 584 and 590, both of which mesh with a gear591 loose on a stud 592 secured in the frame 394. The gear 591 mesheswith a gear 593 integral with a gear 594, both of said gears beingpivoted on a stud 595 in the frame 394. The gear 594 meshes with a gear596 having secured thereto a gear 591, both of said gears beingrotatably supported by a stationary stud 598 in the frame 394, and thegear 591 meshes with a gear 599 secured on the shaft 566. In addingoperations and in certain total recording operations, the shaft 566makes one revolution and, through the train of gears just described,rotates the card feeding shafts 582 and 583.

An ejector roller and its associated pressure roller are provided toassist the four sets of rollers just described in ejecting and stackingthe punched cards. Secured on the die plate 549 (Figs. 4, 9, and 13) isa bracket 606, which rotatably supports a yoke 601 having pivotallymounted between the arms thereof a pressure roller 602. A spring 663urges the yoke 661 and the roller 662 clockwise to normally maintainsaid roller in yielding engagement with an ejec-' tor roller 604rotatable on a shaft 665 journaled in the frames 394 and 395. 664 isclutched to a sleeve 666 loose on the shaft 605, and said sleeve hassecured to the left end thereof a gear 661 meshing with a gear 668secured on the shaft 583, through the medium of which the pressureroller 664 is rotated in a clockwise direction.

The cam 564 (Fig. 4), which operates the punching mechanism, has threecamming surfaces; namely, a punching surface, a feeding surface, and anon-feeding surface. After the The ejector roller? record card has beenpunched, the feeding surface of the cam 564 comes into play and movesthe punch and die assembly forward full distance to cause the pressurerollers 516 and 511 (Figs. 9, 10, and 13) to press the record cardbetween said rollers and the feed rollers 56!) and 581. During themovement of the punch and die assembly to feeding position, the cam 514rocks the pitman 512 downwardly to shift the stop bars 568 rearwardlyout of the path of the record card, whereupon rotation of the rollers586 and 581 ejects the punched record card downwardly into engagementwith the ejector rollers 662 and 604, which continue to eject the recordcard downwardly after it has moved beyond the feed rollers 511 and 581,and stacks said cards in a receiving tray 609.

Card receiving tray The tray 669 is slidably mounted by means of flangedways on either side thereof (Figs. 9, 13, and 20) in cooperation withinclined rails 616 and 611 integral with similar brackets 612 secured tothe cross bars 396 and 391. The tray 669 is available through theclosures 494 and 506 (see also Fig. 4) and may be slid forward to a moreaccessible position for removing the punched record cards when lock 501has been unlocked and the closures 494 and 566 have been opened. Forwardmovement of the tray 609 is determined by a stud 613 in the right sidethere of in cooperation with a depending bracket 614 secured to the rail61 1, and said tray 1563 is located in its rearward card receivingposition by bent-over edges 615 on the forward end of said tray 609 incooperation with the forward ends of the rails 610 and 611.

As the cards are ejected from the punching mechanism, they are stackedin sequential order, one behind the other, in the tray 669 between abent-up back piece 635 of said tray and a slidable weight 616 similar toa (book-end, and having a tongue 611 which fits loosely in a slot 619 inthe bottom of the tray 1569 (Figs. 9, 20, and 21), said tongue 611 beingretained in said slot by a largeheaded screw 626 threaded in the weight616. As the punched cards are ejected into the tray, the weight 616 ispushed forward. The inclination of the tray 609, combined with thefriction between the different parts, provides sufficient resistanceagainst forward movement of the weight 616 to cause the punched cards tostack correctly in the tray 669.

A card pushing or vibrating mechanism is provided to assist in properlystacking the ejected record cards in the tray 6119. This mechanismincludes a combined guide and vibrator plate 621 (Figs. 9 and 13)secured to similar arms 622 fast on the shaft 665. Secured on theleft-hand end of the shaft'605 (Figs. 7 and 13) is an arm 623, havingconnected thereto a pitman 624, the

upper end of which is bifurcated to straddle a collar on the shaft 566.The pitman 624 carries a roller 625 maintained in contact with the pc-65} by a spring 621, one end of which is connected riphery of a platecam 626, fast on the shaft 566.

to an extension of the arm 623. The cam 626 has thereon a series ofnodes, which, in cooperation with the roller 67.5, imparts a series ofoscillations or vibrations to the plate 621, initial movement of saidplate 621 being in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 9.This oscillation of the plate 621 tends to move the previously ejectedrecord cards and the weight 616 up the inclined bottom of the tray 669,to

provide room at the back of the stack for the next card to be ejected.This oscillating movement of the guide plate 62I also agitates orjiggles the cards at the back of the stack to insure that they stackproperly in the tray 669. After the bottom edge of the card beingejected is guided by the plate 62I :beyond the top edge of the last cardin the tray 669, said plate 62I is rocked clockwise to release thepressure on the cards stacked in the tray, to facilitate the entrance ofthe card lbeing ejected into the tray. By referring to Fig. 13 it willbe observed that the guide plate 62I is cut away at the topto clear theejecting roller 694, and said plate is also cut away at the bottom toclear the back piece 635 of the tray 699.

Control of the operation of the machine by the card receiving mechanismReferring to Fig. 1, it will be recalled that depressing the startingbar 61 releases the key lock shaft 99 to the action of the spring I09,which immediately rocks said shaft counter-clockwise to render theclutch mechanism effective and close the circuit to the operating motor.counter-clockwise movement of the shaft 99 causes an mm 628 (Fig. 3)secured thereon, in cooperation with a link 629 connected between saidarm and an arm 630 loose on a shaft 635, journaled in the frame BI andthe printer frame, to rock said arm 639 counter-clockwise in unison withsaid shaft 99. Counter-clockwise movement of the arm 630 withdraws anarcuate surface 632 thereon from beneath a stud 633 in a switch arm 634loose on the shaft 2I6, and releases said switch arm to the action of aspring 649, which immediately rocks said arm counter-clockwise.Counter-clockwise movement of the arm 634 disengages a nose 64I thereoffrom a shoulder on a clutch control disc 642 forming a part of theclutch assembly, which is rotatably supported by a stationary stud 643.Withdrawing the nose 64I from the shoulder of the disc 642 releases saiddisc to the action of a tensioned torsion spring (not shown), whichrotates said disc 644, integral therewith, counter-clockwise.

Counter-clockwise rotation of the disc 644 moves a recess in theperiphery thereof out of the path of a roller 645 on an arm of a yoke646 loose on a shaft 641 journaled in the printer framework, causingsaid periphery to rock said yoke 646 counter-clockwise.Counter-clockwise movement of the yoke 646, by means of a link 648connecting an arm of said yoke to an arm 649 loose'on a fixed stud 659,rocks said arm 649 clockwise. A compressible spring 65l connects the arm649 to a switch operating lever 652, also loose on the stud 650, throughthe medium of which clockwise movement of the arm 649 is transmitted tothe switch operating lever 652,

. causing said lever to close the switch to start the motor.Counter-clockwise movement of the disc 642, when the nose 64I isdisengaged therefrom, renders the clutch mechanism effective andconnects the motor to the machine operating mechanism.

Near the end of a machine operation the lever 634 is restored clockwise,by mechanism not here shown but well known in the art, which causes thenose I thereof to engage the shoulder of t the disc 642 to disengage theclutch mechanism and stop the recess in the periphery of the disc 644opposite the roller 645 to permit the spring blades of the switch I36,which are tensioned upwardly, to break the circuit to the electric This1 motor to stop operation thereof. Before the mechanism that returns thelever 634 clockwise by-passes said lever, restoration of the key lockshaft 99, by the mechanism shown in Fig. 1, moves the arcuate surface632 of the arm 636 into the path of the stud 633 to retain the lever 634in its clockwise position, as here shown.

Mechanism associated with the switch operating lever 652 (Figs. 3, 1'7,and 20) is provided to prevent operation of the machine when the cardreceiving tray 609 is filled with cards. The switch operating lever 652is connected by a link 653 to one arm of a lever 654 loose on a hub 655in the frame 395, said hub forming a bearing for one end of the shaft582. A forward arm of the lever 654 carrie a stud 656, which is embracedby a slot in a bent-over ear of a slide 651 shiftably mounted by meansof parallel slots therein in cooperation with studs 658 in a bentoverportion of a bracket 659 secured to the frame 395. Clockwise movement ofthe lever 652 to close the switch I35, by means of the connections justdescribed, moves the slide 651 upwardly in unison therewith, and it isreadily seen that any obstruction placed in the path of said slide 651,to prevent this upward movement, would also block clockwise movement ofthe lever 652, thus preventing closing of the switch I35 and therebyforestalling operation of the machine.

As the tray 609 (Figs. 17 and 20) is filled with cards, the weight 6I6is forced toward the right, as viewed in Fig. 20, causing a stud 66!!carried thereby, in cooperation with a camming surface 66I on a lever662 free on a stud 663 in the frame 395, to rock said lever 662clockwise. Clockwise movement of the lever 662, through a slotted upwardextension thereof in cooperation with a stud 664 in a lever 665 loose ona stud 666 in the bracket 659, rocks said lever 665 counter-clockwisecontrary to the action of a spring 661. Counterclockwise movement of thelever 665 disengages a bent-over projection 668 thereof from a. shoulderon a plunger 669, slidable in alined holes in the bent-over portion ofthe bracket 659 and a stud 619 secured in the frame 395 (see also Fig.21).

When the plunger 669 is thus released, a compressible spring 61I,encircling said plunger and confined between the bent-over portion ofthe bracket 659 and a collar secured on said plunger, shifts saidplunger 669 rearwardly. Rearward movement of the plunger 669 causes adownward portion 612 of a block 613, integral therewith, to move over ablock 614 secured to a left-hand extension of the slide 651. A guide pin615 secured in the block 613 slides freely in a hole in the bent-overportion of the bracket 659 and maintains the portion 612 of said blockin proper alinement with the block 614 and also maintains the lockingshoulder on the plunger 669 in proper relation with the projection 668.When the block 613 moves into the path of the block 614, movement of theslide 651 and the lever 652 is obstructed. Therefore the switch I35 willnot be closed upon depression of the starting bar, and operation of themachine is thus prevented.

Before the machine will operate. it is necessary to remove the punchedcards frem the tray 609 and return said tray and the weight 5I6 to theirextreme left-hand positions, as shown in Fig. 20. Returning the weight6H5 to its extreme left-hand position causes the stud 660, incooperation with an extension 616 of a yoke 611 loose on a stud 616 inthe frame 395, to rock said yoke clockwise. Clockwise movement of theyoke 611, by means of an upward extension 619 thereof, pushes theplunger 669 forward to disengage the block 613 from the block 614 and toreengage the locking shoulder on said plunger with the projection 668 ofthe lever 665. When the block 613 is thus moved out of the path of theblock 614, the spring 65I immediately rocks the lever 652 clockwise toclose the switch I35 to cause the machine to operate.

A spring 689 (Fig. 19), connected between the slide 651 and the frame395, assists the spring blades of the switch I95 in returning the lever652 and the slide 65'! to normal positions, as shown in Fig. 17, at theend of a machine operation. A stud 682 in the bracket 659 (Fig. 20), incooperation with the lever 665, limits the movement of said lever underinfluence of the spring 661 to maintain the projection B68 in properrelation to the plunger 669 and to maintain the camming surface 66I onthe lever 662 in proper relation to the stud 660. An extension 683 ofthe yoke 61?, in cooperation with the stud 616, maintains the extension616 of said yoke in the path of the stud 660 and limits the rearwardmovement of the plunger 659.

Card feeler mechanism If for any reason a new card is not fed into thethroat 55I (Fig. 1'7) during an operation in which a new card should befed into said throat, a card feeler device prevents the switch I fromclosing and thereby prevents operation of the machine, thus calling theoperators attention to this fact so that the condition may be remedied.Among the things that cause failure of a new card to be fed into thethroat 55I are emptying of the card supply magazine, failure of the cardfeeding mechanism, jamming of a card in the throat 55I, etc.

After the trouble has been ascertained and remedied, it is necessary toperform a blank machine operation in order to feed a new card into thethroat 55!, as this feeding takes place at the end of an operationinstead of the usual practice of feeding said card at the beginning ofan operation. Depression of the starting bar 8'! (Fig. 1) and consequentreleasing of the key lock shaft 99 make it impossible to recall theoperation already initiated, whether the switch I35 closes or not.Therefore it is necessary to carry through this operation without thepunching of a record card, and the general practice is for the operatorto make a note of this fact so that a record card for this transactionmay be later punched by hand. A manipulative device is provided forclosing the switch I35 to cause the operation of the machine to becompleted after the feeler mechanism has obstructed such closing of saidswitch.

It will be recalled that the shaft 566 (Fig. 1'7) makes onecounter-clockwise revolution in all operations in which a punched cardis issued. Rotation of the shaft 566 causes a oamming groove 684 in acam 699, secured thereon, in cooperation with a roller 69l on a lever692 fulcrumed on a stud 693 in the frame 395, to rock said lever 692clockwise near the end of a machine operation and then back to normalposition. Clockwise movement of the lever 692 causes a bifurcatedforward extension thereof, in cooperation with a stud 694 in an arm 695loose on a stud 696 in the frame 395 (Figs. 1'7, 19, and 21), to rocksaid arm 695 counter-clockwise.

Counter-clockwise movement of the arm 695, by means of a downwardextension thereof in cooperation with a stud 691 in a yoke 698 fulcrumedon the stud 696, rocks said yoke counter-clockwise to move a rearwardextension 699 thereof beneath a bent-over ear I96 of an angle barsecured to the die plate 549.

A bent-over portion 'IllI of a downward extension of the yoke 698 isslotted to straddle a reduced portion of a feeler pin I92 slidable inholes in the bent-over portion of the bracket 659 and the stud 610. Therearward end of the pin I62 is adapted to slide freely in alinedopenings in the plates 543 and 549. The extension MI, in cooperationwith a collar 1'03 integral with the pin I82, shifts said pin forwardagainst the action of a spring I64, encircling said pin T82 and confinedbetween the bent-over portion of the bracket 659 and the collar 103, tomove the rearward end of the feeler I82 out of the throat L While thelever 692 and the arm 695 are dwelling in their clockwise andcounter-clockwise positions, respectively, the die assembly, includingthe plates 543 and 549, is returned from punching position to feedingposition, as shown in Fig. 19. This moves the projection I over theextension 699 of the yoke 698 to obstruct clockwise movement of saidyoke when the cam 690 (Fig. 17) returns the lever 692 and the arm 695 tonormal position, as here shown. Obstructing the clockwise movement ofthe yoke 698 causes the extension 'IOI thereof, in cooperation with thecollar I63, to hold the feeler pin I02 in ineffective position, toprevent it from interfering with the ejecting and feeding of the recordcards.

After the punched card has been ejected from the throat 55I and a newcard has been fed therein, the die assembly, including the plates 543and 549, is moved to a neutral position, as indicated by dot-and-dashlines in Fig. 19, which moves the projection I out of engagement withthe extension 699 to release the yoke 698 and the feeler I62 to theaction of a spring I94, which immediately moves said feeler rearwardlyto feel the throat 55I for the presence of a record card. If, throughfailure of the feeding mechanism to function properly, or some othercause, a new card is not carried into the throat 55I, rearward movementof the feeler I02 is unobstructed and such movement carries a projectionI05 of a block I96, secured on the right-hand end of said feeler I62,into the path of the block 614 to obstruct upward movement of the slide65'! and clockwise movement of the lever 652 (Fig. 17) when an attemptis made to operate the machine.

The block 166 carries a guide pin I91, which slides freely in a hole inthe bent-over portion of the bracket 659 to maintain the projection ofsaid block in proper alinement with the block 614. The presence of acard in the throat 55I (Fig. 19) obstructs rearward movement of thefeeler "I92 and holds the projection I05 of the block 196 out of thepath of the block 614, where it will not interfere with operation of themachine.

If the feeler mechanism has disabled the switch I35, the operator willbe notified of this fact when an attempt is made to operate the machine,and in such a case the operator usually makes a note to the effect thatno card will be issued for this particular transaction, so that a cardmay be made for said transaction later in some other way. After thestarting bar has been depressed, it is impossible to recall or cancelthis operation, and, in order to complete said operation, the operatorpulls a switch release bar 101 (Figs. 17 and 21) mounted in parallelslots in the bentover ends of the bracket 659, causing a horizontal slotin the rearward end of said bar, in cooperation with the stud 691 in thedownward extension of the yoke 698, to rock said yoke counterclockwise.Counterclockwise movement of the yoke 693 shifts the feeler pin 102forward to move the block 106 out of the path of the block 614 to permitthe switch mechanism to operate, whereupon operation of the machine iscompleted. When the bar 101 is released, a spring 108 returns said barrearwardly to normal position, as shown in Fig. 1'1, and duringoperation of the machine the feeler 102 again feels for the presence ofa card in the throat 55I.

An on-and-ofi lever is provided for enabling or disabling thecard-punching mechanism. This lever is secured on the shaft 492 (Figs.18 and 21) and moving said lever clockwise to off position rocks saidshaft 492 and an arm 109 secured thereon to move a raised surface onsaid arm into the path of a nose 1I0 on the yoke 698. This obstructsclockwise movement of the yoke 698 and prevents the feeler 102 fromdisablin the switch I35 when no card is in the throat 55I and the leveris in oif" position.

Card. supply magazine A supply magazine 1 (Figs. 4 and 9) for the recordcards has a framework, the sides and bottom of which form a receptaclefor the blank record cards. The supply magazine 1 has flared side platesH2 and a flared top plate 1I3, which guide the record cards to the blade1 I4 of a picker device, which also is supported by the frame of thesupply magazine 1. The cards are advanced through the guide plates H2and Hi! to the picker blade 1 by a spring-pushed pressure plate 1I5having fixed thereto a rod 1I6, opposite ends of which extend throughslots in tubular side members 1" mounted between the plates H2 andbrackets secured to the forward end of the magazine, and said ends ofthe rod 1I6 fit loosely in holes in bearings 1I9 loose in the tubularside members 1". Compressible springs 120, confined between the bearingsH9 and screw plugs in the ends of the tubular side members 1", urge thepressure plate 1I5 rearwardly to advance the record cards to the pickerblade 1 I4. A bail 12I connected to the pressure plate 1I5 providesmeans for pulling said plate forward and holding said plate against theaction of the springs 120 when it is desired to insert new cards in themagazine H I.

The supply magazine 1 is accessible through the closure 500, and whensaid closure is opened, said magazine may be slid forward to a moreaccessible position for inserting new cards. The magazine 1 is slidablymounted by means of horizontal trunnions 122 thereon (Figs. 4, 9, and14), in cooperation with horizontal slots 123 in plates 124 secured to.the frames 394 and 395. The magazine 1| I is locked in feeding positionby means of spring-pushed pins 125, in cooperation with correspondingholes in the frames 394 and 395. The pins 125 are connected torespective companion pinch levers 126 pivotally mounted between a plate121 and the frame of the magazine 1| I. A spring 128, tensioned betweenextensions of companion levers 126, urges the pins 125, which areslidably mounted in holes in the frame of the magazine 1| I, into theirrespective locking holes in the frames 394 and 395. The

pins are guided into their respective locking holes by notches 129 inthe plates 124.

To move the supply magazine Hi from feeding position, in which it isshown in Fig. 9, to loading position, it is necessary to compress thecompanion levers 126 to remove the pins 125 from their respective holesin the frames 394 and 395, whereupon the magazin 1 may be moved forwardthrough the closure 500 to loading position, which position isdetermined by the forward trunnions 122 contacting the forward ends ofthe slots 123. The magazine I I I may be easily removed from the machinefor repair or adjustment by moving said magazine forward from feedingposition to a position where the trunnions 122 are in alinement with anopening in the forward ends of the slots 123 in the plates 124,whereupon said magazine may be tilted up and slid forward untildisengaged from the plates 124.

The picker blade 1 I4 (Figs. 9 and 11) is adjustably mounted upon anangular surface on the top of a cross-head 130 mounted for verticalsliding movement upon two guide pins 13I secured in the framework of themagazine 1. Protruding from opposite ends of the cross-head 130 aretrunnions 132 embraced respectively by the bifurcated forward extensionsof levers 133 pivoted 0n stationary studs 135 in the frames 394 and 395.Each of the levers 133 has mounted thereon rollers 136 and 131, whichcooperate respectively with the peripheries of companion plate cams 138and 139 secured on the shaft 566. counterclockwise rotation of the shaft566 and the cams 138 and 139 causes said cams, near the end of machineoperation, to rock the levers 133 clockwise to shift the cross-head 130and the picker blade 1I4 downward. Downward movement of the picker bladepicks the first card out of the magazine and forces said card downthrough a restricted aperture, wide enough to admit only one card at atime and formed by a block 140 (Fig. 12) and an adjustable rail 14I,both of which are secured to the framework of the magazine H I.

The picker blade 114 carries the card between feed rollers 142 and 143,which revolve in opposite directions and feed the record card into thethroat 55I and into engagement with the upper set of feed rollers 590and their corresponding pressure rollers 516, which, in cooperation withtheir associated feed rollers 58I and pressure rollers 611, carry thecard down into contact with the stop bars 568, while the punched card isbeing deposited in the tray 609. It will be understood that, when thecard is being fed into .the punching mechanism by the picker blade H4and the feed rollers, the throat 55I is in alinement with the rollers142 and 143 and the pressure rollers 516 and 511 are in yielding contactwith their respective feed rollers 580 and SM.

After the new card has been fed into contact with the stop bars 569, thedie assembly, including the plates 543 and 549, is moved from feedingposition to normal position, as shown in Fig. 9. This separates thepressure rollers 516 and 511 from their respective feed rollers andcauses said rollers to resiliently press the new card against the plate549 (Fig. 15) to retain said card in proper location in the throat 55 ISometimes, due to unequal pressure and friction, the cards may becomecocked, as they are advanced through the aperture formed by the block140 (Fig. 11) and the rail 14I, by the picker blade 1. In order toovercome this difficulty,

spring-pushed fingers'144 and 145 (Figs. 11 and 12) pivoted on pinssupported by a plate 746 secured to the framework of the supply magazineIII are provided. The fingers I44 and 145 are urged upward by torsionsprings I41 into contact with corresponding projections of the bottomplate I48 of the supply magazine III, and the spring pressure thereonretains the first few cards in the magazine in proper alinement with thecard feeding mechanism. As the picker blade H4 moves down, downwardextensions of a back plate I49, secured to the cross-head I30, engagethe fingers I44 and I45 and push said fingers down out of the path ofthe card being advanced from the supply magazine to the feed rolls. Thefingers I44 and 145 (Figs. 9, 11, and 12), in cooperation with theextensions of the plate 149, also retain the trunnions I32 in alinementwith the bifurcated extensions of the levers I33 when the supplymagazine 'Hl' is shifted forward to loading position or removed from themachine, so that said trunnions "I32 will readily engage theircorresponding levers when the magazine is returned to feeding position.

The feed roller I42 (Figs. '7, 8, 9, and 13) is integral with a shaftI55, opposite ends of which are journaled in identical bearing blocksI56 secured to the frames 394 and 395. Fast on the left-hand end of theshaft I55 is a gear 151, which meshes with a gear 158 rotatable on astationary stud I59 in the frame 394, and said gear I58 meshes with thegear 584, which, it'will be recalled, drives the shaft 582 for the upperset of feed rollers 58!]. Fast on the right-hand end ofthe shaft IE is agear I60, whichmesheswithasimilar gear 'IEI secured on the right-handend of a shaft I62 journaled in horizontal slots in the bearing blocksI55, and said shaft has integral therewith the feed roller I42. Theroller I43 (Figs. 4 and 9) is urged into yielding engagement with itsassociated roller 142 by spring-pushed plungers 163, the heads of whichform half-round bearings for the shaft I62 and the tenons of which fitfreely in holes in the frame 43L Compressible springs I64, for theplungers I63, are assembled in the holes for said plungers and areconfined between the ends of the tenons of said plungers "I63 and screwplugs I65 threaded in the holes for said tenons. The screw plugs I65provide means for adjusting the pressure of the roller 143 to cause thecards to be properly fed into the throat 55]. The gears shown in Figs. 7and 8, and described above, rotate the feed rollers I42 and I43counterclockwise and clockwise, respectively, to feed the record cards,advanced therebetween by the picker mechanism, into the throat 55L Theslugs that are punched from the record cards are guided by a chute I76(Figs. 4 and 5), secured to the die plates 549, into a receiving trayI51 which fits in a pocket formed by the frame 394 and the bracket (H2which supports the left-hand side of the tray 609, and a plate I68secured to the cross-bars 396 and 391. Like the supply magazine Ill andthe receiving tray 609 for the record cards, the slug tray 16'! isaccessible through the closure 500 and may readily be removed foremptying by means of a curved finger piece 16-9 on the forward endthereof.

While the form of mechanism herein shown and described is admirablyadapted to fulfill the objects primarily stated, it is to be understoodthat it is not intended to confine the invention to the one form orembodiment herein disclosed, for it is susceptible of embodiment invarious. forms all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. In an electrically-operated combined cash register and card-punchingmachine, adapted to issue punched record cards, the combination of meansto release the machine for operation; a switch operated by the releasingmeans whenever the machine is to be set in motion; means to punchrecords in the card; a throat in the punching means to position thecards in relation to said pimching means; means to feed the cards intothe throat; a feeler device adapted to feel the throat for the presenceof a card; means whereby the feeler device obstructs operation of theswitch when no card is in the throat; and a manipulative device toreturn the feeler and the obstructing means to ineffective positions toenable the switch to close and the machine to be operable even though nocard is in the throat.

2. In a machine of the character described, adapted to issue punchedrecord cards, the combination of means including a shiftable device topunch records in the cards, said shiftable device adapted to be moved toand from feeding position; a throat in the shiftable device to receivethe cards to be punched; means to feed the cards into the throat, whenthe shiftable device is in feeding position; means to feel the throatfor the presence of a card; means on the shiftable device to retain thefeeling means in ineffective position when said shiftable device is infeeding position, movement of the shiftable device from feeding positionallowing the feeling means to function; means whereby the feeling meansprevents subsequent operation of the machine if no card is in thethroat; and a manipulative device to render the preventing meansineffective to enable the machine to operate when no card is in thethroat.

3. In an electrically-operated combined cash register and card-punchingmachine, adapted to issue punched record cards, the combination of meansto release the machine for operation; a switch operated by the releasingmeans whenever the machine is to be set in motion; means including ashiftable device to punch records in the cards; a throat in theshiftable device to hold the cards while said cards are being punched;means to move the shiftable device to and from feeding position; meansrendered effective by movement of the shiftable device to feedingposition to feed the cards into the throat; means to feel the throat forthe presence of a card; means whereby the shiftable device retains thefeeling means in ineffective position while said shiftable device is infeeding position, movement of said feeding device away from feedingposition allowing the feeling means to function; means renderedeffective by the feeling means, when no card is in the throat, toprevent operation of the switch to forestall operation of the machine;and a manipulative device to move the preventing means to ineffectiveposition to enable the machine to operate even though no card is in thethroat.

4. In an electrically-operated combined cash register and card-punchingmachine, adapted to issue punched record cards, the combination of meansto release the machine for operation; a switch operated by the releasingmeans, when ever the machine is to be set in motion; means, including ashiftable device, to punch records in the cards; a throat in theshiftable device to hold the cards while being punched; means to feedthe cards into the throat; means to move the shiftable device into andout of aiinement with the feeding means; means to feel the throat forthe presence of a card; means to restore the feeling means toineffective position each machine operation; means on the shiftabledevice to retain the feeling means in ineffective position when saidshiftable device is in alinement with the feeding means, movement of theshiftable device out of alinement with the feeding means enabling thefeeling means to feel the throat for .the presence of a card; meanswhereby the feeling means renders the switch inoperative when no card isin the throat; and a manipulative device to move the feeling means andthe rendering means to ineffective positions to render the machineoperable when no card is in the throat.

5. In an electrically-operated combined cash register and card-punchingmachine, adapted to issue punched record cards, the combination of meansto release the machine for operation; a switch operated by the releasingmeans whenever the machine is to be set in motion; a plurality ofpunches for punching records in the record cards; a card holder topresent the cards to the punching means; means to feed the cards to thecard holder; a spring-actuated feeler device to feel the holder for thepresence of a card; means to retain the feeler in ineffective positionwhile a card is being fed into the holder, said retaining means beingrendered ineffective upon completion of the card feeding, whereupon thefeeler becomes effective; means whereby the feeler renders the switchinoperative, to forestall operation of the machine when no card is inthe holder; and a manipulative device to return the feeler toineffective position to enable the machine to be operated even though nocard is in the holder.

6. In an electrically-operated combined cash register and card-punchingmachine, adapted to issue punched record cards, the combination ofmeans, including a shiftable device to punch records in the cards; athroat in the shiftable device to hold the card while being punched;means to feed the cards into the throat; means to move the shiftabledevice into and out of alinement with the feeding means; means to feelthe throat for the presence of a card; means to restore the feelingmeans to ineffective position each machine operation; means on theshiftable device to retain the feeling means in ineffective positionwhen said shiftable device is in alinement with the feeding means,whereupon movement of the shiftable device out of alinement with thefeeding means allows the feeling means to feel the throat for thepresence of a card; means controlled by the feeling means to render themachine inoperative when no card is in the throat; and a manipulativedevice to move the feeling means to ineffective position to enable themachine to be operated when no card is in the throat.

'7. In a machine of the class described, adapted to issue punched recordcards, the combination of a receptacle for the punched cards; a slidablecard-stacking member in the receptacle; means operated by the member torender the machine inoperative when the receptacle is filled with cards;and means whereby the member restores the first-mentioned means toineffective position when the tray is empty.

8. In a combined cash register and cardpunching machine, adapted toissue punched record cards, the combination of a receptacle for thepunched cards; a slidable card-stacking member in the receptacle, saidmember adapted to be moved from a starting position to an extremeposition as the receptacle fills with cards; means operated by themember, when moved to its extreme position, to render the machineinoperative; and means whereby returning the member to startingposition, after the cards are removed from the receptacle, restores therendering means to ineffective position to cause the machine to operate.

9. In a machine of the class described, adapted to issue punched recordcards, the combination of a receptacle for the punched cards; a slidablemember in the receptacle, said member adapted to be moved from startingposition to an extreme position by the punched cards as they aredeposited in the receptacle; means, including a spring plunger releasedby the member when in its ex reme position, to prevent operation of themachine when the receptacle is filled with cards; and means operated bythe member when returned to starting position to restore the plunger toineffective position to cause the machine to operate.

10. In an electrically-operated combined cash register and card-punchingmachine, adapted to issue punched record cards, the combination of meansto release the machine for operation; a switch operated by the releasingmeans, whenever the machine is to be operated; a receptacle for thepunched cards; a slidable member mounted in the receptacle, said memberadapted to be moved from a minimum position to a maximum position by thepunched cards as they are deposited in the receptacle; means to blockoperation of the switch to prevent operation of the machine; normallyeffective means to retain the blocking means in ineffective position,said retaining means adapted to be rendered ineffective by the slidablemember when said member is in maximum position, whereupon the blockingmeans becomes effective; and means whereby returning the member tostarting position returns the blocking means into engagement with theretaining means to cause the machine to operate.

11. In an electrically-operated combined cash register and card-punchingmachine, adapted to issue punched record cards, the combination of meansto release the machine for operation; a switch operated by the releasingmeans whenever the machine is to operate; a receptacle for the punchedcards; a slidable member in the receptacle, said member adapted to be ina minimum position when the receptacle is empty and adapted to be movedto a maximum position when the receptacle is filled with cards;yieldingly operated means to obstruct operation of the switch, toprevent operation of the machine; means to retain the obstructing meansin ineffective position; means whereby the member moves the retainingmeans to ineffective position when said member is in maximum position,whereupon the obstructing means becomes effective; and means operated bythe member when returned to minimum position to reengage the obstructingmeans with the retaining means to cause the machine to operate.

12. In an electrically-operated combined cash register and card-punchingmachine, adapted to issue punched record cards, the combination of.means to release the machine for operation; a switch operated by thereleasing means whenever the machine is to operate; a receptacle for thepunched cards; a slidable member mounted in the receptacle and adaptedto assist the cards in stacking properly in the receptacle, said memberalso adapted to be in a minimum position when the receptacle is empty,and in a maximum position when the receptacle is filled; means 0peratedby the member when in maximum position to block operation of the switchto prevent operation of the machine when the receptacle is filled; andmeans whereby returning the member to minimum position, after thereceptacle is empty, returns the blocking means to ineffective positionto cause the machine to operate.

13. In a machine of the class described, adapted to issue punched recordcards, the combination of a receptacle for the punched record cards; aslidable member in the receptacle, said member adapted to be in aminimum position when the receptacle is empty and adapted to be moved toa maximum position when the tray is filled with cards; a yieldinglyoperated element to prevent operation of the machine; means to retainthe element in ineffective position; means whereby the member moves theretaining means to ineffective position when said member is in maximumposition, whereupon the element becomes effective; and means operated bythe member when returned to minimum position to reengage the elementwith the retaining means to cause the machine to operate.

GUNNAR NELSON.

